If you are curious about how Deaf people can understand the Bible, that's a great question! As a Deaf person who relies on visuals, gestures, text information, and which is called sign language, I would never be going to be understood what am I reading, but I think I'm a little lucky because I know the written language so well, that nothing Deaf people have. Deaf people have badly written language despite they know the written language. They write the written language back and forth. It can be understood because they only know sign language as a native language and don't grow up with bilingual parenting. Bilingual parenting is super important for Deaf people and it becomes a common thing since Deaf people are needed to know at least two or more languages from a newborn.
As sign language, a native language, I would need the Bible translated into fully sign language. We have ones, TBI Labisi and Deaf Way Indonesia usually posted on Instagram and Youtube. TBH Labisi is organized by the Lembaga Anugerah Bahasa Isyarat Indonesia, Jakarta, and Deaf Way Indonesia are located in Bandung. Deaf Way is a worldwide Deaf Christian community. Besides one, we also have the Deaf Bible Society, which is a worldwide Bible Deaf study that has been translated into different sign languages over the world. I think three are really helpful to share the gospel in sign language and you should try. I love them, but I rarely use them because I would prefer to read texts and have more discussions with my friends. I have a good written language and it becomes the reason barely use a sign language Bible translation, but at some time, I would need that one if I meet some obstacle to be understood.
Myself, who have some Bible guidance might be recommended for Deaf people or also including hearing people. On my cellphone, I have some Bible applications, like Bible.is, YouVersion, and Alkitab Bahasa Indonesia. Then, when I work on the laptop, I always open Bible Gateway and some Christianity websites to help understand more about Christianity, like denominations, update news, theology, missions, sermon, testimony, history, consulting, etc. I love listening to Christian songs with lyrics, such as Hillsong Worship. Bible.is has different languages that you can choose, reading plans, Bible versions, notes, movies, and playlists. If you want to have beautiful Bible pictures that can be downloaded, you should be recommended to install YouVersion which is available on Playstore and Apple store. Bible Gateway has different versions, like NIV, NLT, ESV, KJ, etc. I really like to have different versions so that helps me can understand the different perceptions about Bible and Christianity. I don't like only one version.
I do not have Christianity books and I wish to have new Christianity books that are translated into English because English helps me easier to understand what is the book saying despite I'm not an English native, is a third language, and I do not know why that like just be comfortable to read the book in English. I lend a Christianity book that was called True Story: A Christianity Worth Believing In, a book about witnessing that they find Jesus Christ that has changed their life. I love that. The book that owned by Perkantas, a students center.
Deaf people really love hanging out and discussing so I am not sure that Deaf people love reading books. "Deaf Time" which is what we called. Deaf Time is one of the Deaf cultures. Deaf Time describes how Deaf people really love hanging out without knowing when would be over. You can't even determine what time you'll be home while you are in "Deaf Time". For example, you have an appointment to hang out with Deaf friends at 07.00 pm at the cafe and you want to go home at 09.00 pm but Deaf friends will never go home and still hang out until midnight or subuh, or early morning at 04.00 am! You are going to be shocked about Deaf time. So, the approach for serving the Deaf Christian community is just to hang out and discuss with them. That will help. I know Deaf people love reading books but hanging out is still Deaf people that favorite. Serving the Deaf Christian community is needed to understand the Deaf culture that has huge differences from hearing culture.
I really love writing, discussing, sharing, and reading Bible and Christianity because it's one way that helped me to understand who Jesus Christ is and what a look like Jesus Christ in action, treatment, voices, etc. Jesus Christ is who Lord loving, caring, and forgiving sinners, disciples, followers, and even enemies who hurt Him in Matthew 5: 44 and Luke 23: 34.
Above all, that I have recommendations for Deaf people and some tips for hearing people who want to meet with Deaf people. I hope it will help and benefit.
Thanks for reading!
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